Walk the Talk: The Health for All Challenge
Aims of the event
- To raise awareness and profile of the work and goals of WHO and other global health agencies based in Geneva, highlighting the city’s role as a global health capital in improving global health.
- Engage World Health Assembly delegates, the UN family and the Geneva community in a celebration of WHO’s 70th birthday.
- Launch a global movement to promote health and particularly physical activity as part of a healthy sustainable future
WHO has been joined by the Ville and Canton of Geneva, the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations, the United Nations Office at Geneva, Permanent Missions to the UN offices in Geneva, and other interested parties in staging the event.
Governments, community groups, advocates of health and members of the public around the world are encouraged to stage similar events during 2018 as part of WHO’s 70th anniversary and in support of promoting healthier lifestyles and access to health for all through universal health coverage.
Not in Geneva?
You can still take part
But you do not have to be in Geneva to participate.
Anywhere in the world, you can join the health for all movement by showing what you dare doing to promote a healthy life.
World champion runner Haile Gebrselassie to take part in WHO Walk the talk: The Health for All Challenge
The World Health Organization is proud to announce that champion long-distance runner Haile Gebrselassie will participate in the Walk the Talk: The Health for All Challenge event on 20 May 2018 in Geneva.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, says: “Being physically active is one of the most important ways to stay healthy and prevent disease. Having Haile Gebrselassie join us for the Walk the Talk: The Health for All Challenge is a great honour. His participation sends a powerful message about the role that physical activity can play for all people to improve their health.”
Mr Gebrselassie said he was excited to be taking part in this first-ever WHO Walk the Talk: The Health for All Challenge. “In my opinion, being physically active is essential for good health. People do not need to be Olympians or athletes to enjoy the many benefits of being physically active. In our daily lives we should move for health in any way we can so that we can be healthier and better able to enjoy our lives.”
“I support WHO’s mission to promote healthy lives for all people, and I believe countries can do much to make it easy for their citizens to be more physically active to improve their health. This can result in so many gains for a person’s own health, as well as the growth and well-being of their communities.”
During the 20 May event, Mr Gebrselassie, a multiple Olympic and World Champion long distance runner and world record holder, will be participating in a range of activities, including taking part in the official opening with Dr Tedros and conducting a 30-minute master running session with interested Geneva athletes, start at the Place des Nations at approximately 11 am.
Social media
Demonstrate what you do to promote health and well-being by sending a photo, video or message through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtag #HealthForAll
On Facebook, you can also show your interest through the Facebook event notice.
Stage an event
If you are interested in staging your own similar event, please contact WHO at walkthetalk@who.int for more information.
Contact
Paul Garwood – garwoodp@who.int
Article courtesy of World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2018/05/20/default-calendar/walk-the-talk-the-health-for-all-challenge
